Wong was one of only 32 brokerage firm executives nationwide to make the list and one of only a dozen representing independent real estate firms. Other people on the 2009 list of Influential Real Estate Leaders include Glenn Kelman, president and CEO of Redfin; Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.org; Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board; and Robert Shiller, economist and co-creator of the Case/Shiller Home Price Index.

Wong and business partner, Michael Golden, co-founded @properties in 2000 and in less than a decade have built the company into the largest real estate brokerage firm in the city of Chicago and the third largest in the entire Northern Illinois region, according to sales data from MRED, LLC, Chicagos primary multiple listing service. @properties is also the 42nd largest brokerage firm in America, according to rankings compiled by real estate information firm Real Trends.

Over the past couple of years, the industry has begun to pay close attention to the unique systems, practices and culture that Thad and Michael have created. To achieve the kind of growth and market share that we have in 10 years in a market as competitive as Chicago is pretty remarkable, said Jeanine McShea, president of brokerage services for @properties.

In 2009, @properties increased its market share by 28 percent in the downtown Chicago market and by 19 percent in the region. The firm recruited more than 200 agents, acquired a property management firm, and launched a new division to provide institutional services for distressed and REO properties. It also launched a new Chicago real estate website that garnered critical acclaim from industry media and tech experts and resulted in a 20 percent increase in registered users.

Wong got his start in real estate in 1996 and, along with Golden, quickly established himself as one of the most successful Realtors